Tommy Haas re-ignites his spark before the US Open: (Part One) – Tennis Special
Former world number two, Tommy Haas from Germany lifted his game at the right time. He recently conquered the 17-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, to claim his maiden year-to-date title at his home soil in Halle and secured
a final berth in Hamburg. As a result, Haas is geared up for the US Open, last Grand Slam event taking place in New York City, and is looking forward to reach the second week.
The German veteran underwent a hip and elbow surgery in 2010 which ruled him out from professional tennis for long period. He started his campaign this circuit outside Top 200 and after clinching his opening match at the Brisbane
International against Denis Kudla, Haas pulled out from the tournament due to calf injury.
He made a comeback at the Australian Open, a major hard court tournament held in Melbourne, but exited to King of Clay Rafael Nadal in the second round. The German sought his momentum at the Dallas Challenger event eased past his
rivals to reach semis. However, due to Thoracic pain, Haas was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Injuries ruled him out from following tournaments he played. The German pulled out from the qualifying tournament at the US Men Tennis Championships in Houston and the Prague Challenger due to right knee injury. However, he re-gained
his strength at the BMW Open in Munich and slew his wildcard compatriot, Michael Berrer, with a bagel in opening round. He then stunned top seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with a breadstick to reach last eight at this clay court event. Haas maintained his intensity
and breezed past Cypriot number one Marcos Baghdatis with a breadstick before bowing out to Marin Cilic in the semi-finals.
The 34-year-old entered the qualifying competition at the French Open, second Grand Slam event taking place in Paris, with same intensity. He stomped over Argentina’s Guido Pella, Colombia’s Robert Farah and Spain’s Ivan Navarro
in straight sets to book a main draw spot at Roland Garros. Haas outmuscles his opponents with conviction and made a third round showing at this major clay court tournament (lost to Richard Gasquet).
After his impressive run of form, the German cracked the Top 100 and entered the Gerry Weber Open in Halle with poise. The German triumphed over several seeded players including the likes of third seeded Tomas Berdych and sixth
seeded Marcel Granollers before setting up a date with the Swiss number one Roger Federer in the title-round. He continued firing angled shots and pulled out the victory in straight sets against the Swiss veteran.
The delighted German was quoted after triumphing over the Swiss Maestro:
“I don’t have many words to say really, except that it is an amazing feeling to win another title in Germany. [Winning] my thirteenth title was a goal of mine to maybe achieve in the next coming months, years or however long I
am going to play. To have somebody across the net like Roger is a real honour for me. To have that picture with the winning trophy and Roger next to me is something really special, something I’ll obviously never forget. I’m just really happy and proud.”
After clinching his 13th career title in Hamburg, the German veteran cracked the Top 50 once again and high-spiritedly entered the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: